Osita Chidoka @osita_chidoka

No to The Return of Emirates Airlines to Nigeria

The gleeful announcement of the return of Emirates Airline to Nigeria by the Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, on X is a sad reminder of the deepening lack of national pride and the growing irrelevance of Nigeria in the World.

The audacity of Emirates Airlines to even consider returning to Nigeria reeks of contempt and disdain towards our nation. The actions of the government of UAE and their airline, Emirates, from the unwarranted visa ban on all Nigerians to the suspension of flights, have been nothing short of a blatant attack on the dignity of Nigerians.

During my time as Aviation Minister, Emirates Airlines enjoyed an unprecedented two slots to Lagos and one slot to Abuja granted by my predecessor and sustained over the years. This gesture showed Nigeria's desire to forge close relationships and build regional alliances in the Gulf.

Yet, when Nigeria faced economic challenges, Emirates shamelessly abandoned us while other airlines stood by us. Emirates Airlines, arguably the wealthiest airline in the world, was the only airline that suspended operations.

All the African and European Airlines, equally owed by the Nigerian government, continued operating and weathered the storm with us as a people—a remarkable show of solidarity and a vote of confidence on a market they had enjoyed for decades.

Emirates Airlines, like UAE's Mubadala, the major investor in Etisalat Nigeria, fled at the first sign of trouble, leaving Nigerians stranded and insulted by their mean behaviour. They did not just walk away. The UAE government imposed an egregious visa ban on all Nigerians.

The imposition of a visa ban on all Nigerians is an unwarranted and vile display of aggression and dehumanisation of Nigerians.

Nigerians must say no to the unjustified stigmatisation and degradation of Nigerians, almost akin to the ghettos of 20th-century Europe. A national visa ban suggests a desire to humiliate and cast a slur on a people as a group.

The behaviour of the UAE government and their Airline is an unprovoked attack, and Nigeria should insist on a wholesome redress. As we speak, there is no word yet on the visa ban and no apology to Nigerians.

The Nigerian government must not allow Emirates Airlines to waltz back into our skies without being held accountable for their disrespectful and demeaning conduct. We demand a thorough investigation and restitution before even considering their return.

Respect for our nation and people is non-negotiable and an irreducible minimum. We will not allow our pride to be trampled upon by arrogant corporations or foreign governments.

This administration must reaffirm our priceless sovereignty at all times.

Our sovereignty is not for sale.

Osita Chidoka
22 May 2024.

Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIarb (UK) @fkeyamo

Thank you, @osita_chidoka for your opinion. However, to demonstrate your patriotism, sincerity and fidelity to the touted ‘Nigerian Pride’, the big puzzle is, why did you fail to similarly advise your boss, principal and mentor ATIKU Abubakar @atiku to immediately relocate from Dubai to Nigeria and sell off all his assets there in protest when the ban on visa and flights were announced? Hypocrisy has never been this audacious!

Again, it is curious that, as a member of the think-tank of the PDP, your election strategy at a time (popularly dubbed ‘the Dubai Strategy’) was hatched in the same Dubai and not in Nigeria before the ban was announced. Why export a purely Nigerian project to Dubai if you loved Nigeria so much?

For the avoidance of doubt, this Government is focused on fostering healthy relationships with major partners around the world for the ultimate benefits of Nigerians. Considering the huge investments and interests of Nigerians in the UAE, should we continue to engage in ‘Bolekaja’ (motor park) diplomacy capable of hurting the interests of Nigerians? Will the imminent return of Emirates to Nigeria and in reciprocal manner, AIRPEACE returning to operating that route, not lead to better competition which will ultimately crash the present high fares on that route? Who will benefit more? How many Emiratis visit Nigeria and invest here as much as Nigerians visit the UAE and invest there? Have you bothered to ask about the lifting of the visa ban before issuing your warped statement? For your information, that has been resolved too and the announcement is imminent.

Rather than craftily resorting to the card of false nationalism in pursuit of cheap political points, you should have told Nigerians the economic disadvantages Nigeria stand to suffer, if any, as a result of the commendable effort of the Tinubu administration to straighten our relations with our friends in the UAE.

I will advise your PDP to work harder to regain power in 2027 and maybe resume your hostilities with the UAE authorities thereafter.

Previous threads.

Emirates Airline To Resume Nigerian Flights In June - Aviation Minister, Keyamo
https://www.nairaland.com/8056544/emirates-airline-resume-nigerian-flights

Emirates Airline Announces Resumption Of Nigerian Flights From October 1
https://www.nairaland.com/8094226/emirates-airline-announces-resumption-nigerian

I have no doubt in my mind that Keyamo will attack the person and not the message, while being cheered on by the 30k never-do-wells.

It is all about money, not about national dignity. A slave remains a slave.

If Man U miraculously win FA CUP price of garri will definitely come down---- APiSi's spokesperson

Number 1 comment :

When Nigeria faced economic challenges, Emirates shamelessly abandoned us while other airlines stood by us.
Emirates Airlines, arguably the wealthiest airline in the world, was the only airline that suspended operations.
All the African and European Airlines, equally owed by the Nigerian government, continued operating and weathered the storm with us as a people—a remarkable show of solidarity and a vote of confidence on a market they had enjoyed for decades.

Check number 2 comment below...
There are 2 sides to every news...



Food for thought....
That is why we like taking criticism from sane people who have no political affiliation,

Cos even when some political rats as such as this makes good criticism, it will always be juxtaposed alongside their political inclination.

Over to the people.......

Nothing concern me but E dey mind

Ok

Do you care to know why America will likely be a world power for a long time??

Do you care to know why the FG of Nigeria is afraid and can't kill nnamdi kanu??

Then make a research on why America is afraid and cannot abandon Israel. Also why nnamdi kanu change his religion to Judaism.

As for me even if water and stone turn against Israel, me Benedict will forever stand with Israel gidigbam.

Ok

will formally invite Peter Obi to the opening of my new Barber shop. He appears available to attend all events and post comments on social media since he is a jobless political failure. Therefore, I am using this platform to invite Mr. Peter Obi to my new Barber shop opening ceremony. Side attractions include barbecue, ice cream, doughnuts, and drinks.

Check number 2 comment below...
There are 2 sides to every news...

Number 2 comment :

Will the imminent return of Emirates to Nigeria and in reciprocal manner, AIRPEACE returning to operating that route, not lead to better competition which will ultimately crash the present high fares on that route?
Who will benefit more?
How many Emiratis visit Nigeria and invest here as much as Nigerians visit the UAE and invest there?


Food for thought....
That is why we like taking criticism from sane people who have no political affiliation,

Cos even when some political rats as such as this makes good criticism, it will always be juxtaposed alongside their political inclination.

Over to the people.......

I will formally invite Peter Obi to the opening of my new Barber shop. He appears available to attend all events and post comments on social media since he is a jobless political failure. Therefore, I am using this platform to invite Mr. Peter Obi to my new Barber shop opening ceremony. Side attractions include barbecue, ice cream, doughnuts, and drinks.

naptu2:
Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIarb (UK) @fkeyamo

What happened to Air Nigeria.

I find the response of Minister Keyamo very distasteful.

What has Atiku's personal choice of where to live got to do with Emirate Airline and the UAE perceived disrespect to Nigeria as a nation?

Childish response

Much ado about nothing. Keyamo is as stupid as usual, leaving the message to attack the messenger

Dumb keyamo

Dumb Keyamo

One former minister and a current minister raised important arguments! I expected to read very engaging contributions, but the comments are terribly empty! Believe it or not, Nigerians or probably Africans have nothing in their brains!

😊

What they care about in this regime is what they'll gain in return forgetting the humiliation Nigerians went through in the hands of dubai... Y not put your citizens first b4 anything else.

Osita made a good point

Rubbish points , when Nigerians turned UAE into a con fraternity zone , robbed their ATMs , killed their police you all kept quiet. After oil terrorism is the biggest export in Dubai and you want them to fold up their arms and watch Nigerians destroy it ?

If I were Dubai authorities I won’t allow the visa ban elapsed in just two years , I’ll make it difficult for Nigerians coming to Dubai to reset their wayward attitude.
Some Nigerians were denied bail in South Africa for fighting their police , you won’t see people like this come out to criticize them , when South Africa reacts you’ll see some insects coming out to insult the president rubbish bitter lemons.

TWO BIG NIGERIANS FIGHTING ONLINE AND TRYING TO DECEIVE GULLIBLE NIGERIANS....LAST LAST, THERE TWO GO DRINK BEER FOR EKO HOTEL!

Mr. Osita made some good points but coming from someone who works for Atiku? Atiku is synonymous with Dubai hence it sounds hypocritical if you could not have told Atiku to live by the same standards.

.

Jagaban2012:
will formally invite Peter Obi to the opening of my new Barber shop. He appears available to attend all events and post comments on social media since he is a jobless political failure. Therefore, I am using this platform to invite Mr. Peter Obi to my new Barber shop opening ceremony. Side attractions include barbecue, ice cream, doughnuts, and drinks.

you're just senseless

You people have problem. When Emirate left you were rejoicing and calling the country all sort of names.

When Emirate returned you are still not happy and then asking the same government you have been jeering because Emirates left why did they allowed Emirates back.

You people should let this country be